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[CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that chlorine levels were out of range in the Atkinson Pool. That was incorrect. The chloramine levels are out of range, which is a result of a chemical reaction between the chlorine and other substances in the water.]
The Atkinson Pool was shut down this week due to what appeared to be a combination of air quality issues and out-of-range chloramine levels in the pool. The Sudbury Park and Recreation Department issued a statement on their Facebook page:
“We want to provide clarity regarding the temporary pool closure and share the proactive steps being taken to ensure the safety and comfort of our swimmers.
In our ongoing efforts to monitor and improve air quality at the pool, routine testing revealed a slight increase in chloramines. Chloramines are chemical compounds that form in pool water when chlorine reacts with nitrogen-containing contaminants such as sweat, urine, and body oils.
To address this, we conducted a standard “shocking” procedure on Wednesday evening. This involves temporarily increasing chlorine levels to a high concentration to effectively break down the chloramines. While this is a common practice in pool maintenance, it requires time for chlorine levels to return to the optimal range for safe swimming.
There are multiple factors that can contribute to air and water quality challenges, including water filtration, air exchange systems, bather load, swimmer hygiene, water temperature, and the quality of incoming tap water. We are actively evaluating and addressing all potential factors to ensure a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment for all.
Thank you for your patience as we work diligently to resolve this matter. We remain committed to providing a clean and safe facility for our community.
We will have an update later this Friday afternoon regarding the weekend.”
A later email update, sent at 2:58 p.m., from the department indicated that the pool would be closed through the weekend.
You can follow the Park and Recreation department Facebook page here for further updates. This issue was also discussed in the Park and Recreation Commission meeting on Thursday, January 9. The recording of that meeting should post to SudburyTV’s on-demand service soon. No word yet on who peed the pool.
